The Spirit of Progress the Boast of the Age.
By A. M. Lindsley
WITH all the boasted spirit of progress of the present time, one versed in Bible truth and Bible religion can but see the downward tendency of mind. As the so-called spirit of progression is really going away from God and his truth, it is easy to prove that it is not in reality a progression in that which is good; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And unless it can be proved that the world is constantly approximating nearer to obedience to his truth, it cannot be said that they are growing wiser. Active they may be in the wisdom of this world, and in what goes to make them great in their own eyes, yet none are truly great or good but those who realize their own fallen condition by nature, and seek God for help through Christ. He has chosen the weak things of this world to confound those which are mighty, so that no flesh should glory in his sight. The very spirit of exaltation which has come over this nation and mankind in general, is only indicative of a terrible fall; for he that exalteth himself shall be abased. The spirit of exaltation possessed those who built the tower of Babel; but see how quickly the Lord confounded them so that they ceased to build. Satan exalted himself when he rebelled, and quickly he was cast out of Heaven. So has every nation and people called down upon them the judgments of God when they have become so self-reliant as to stand independent of their Creator. Judgments may not be executed so speedily always as on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah; yet, it may be even more tolerable for them in the day of Judgment than for such. Every nation and people are left to fill up their measure of sin and iniquity after the warning voice has reached them before they are visited and overthrown. Looking at our own land we see sin and crime, not seeking alone the midnight hour for its accomplishment, but high-handed and presumptuous sins are committed in open day; but, for all that, how few are they who sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in the land! How many, like the prophet Daniel, fast and pray for themselves and for the land, that God's fiery wrath may be restrained, and turned away from us? But there is a redeeming feature to the dark picture. The sure word of prophecy encourages us with deliverance in prospect,—a new earth robed in Eden beauty; freed from the curse, and sin, and a tempting devil. The Lord will make bare his holy arm for the help of those who fear him, and he will place a mark on the foreheads of those that shun this great departure from him, and he will hide them in mercy when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth; for his word declares it.