Modern Terrorism by John Orr Corliss

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 8, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 18.

Modern Terrorism.

By John Orr Corliss

THIS is what English papers call the late demonstrations of the dynamite fiends in that country. The explosion at Victoria Station, and the discovery of plots to blow up other public buildings in London, has caused no little anxiety in English circles. Many comments have been offered by the press. While some suggest that the arrest and summary execution of a few leaders in these villainies would restore former peace and quietness, others are inclined to look at the matter in a more serious light. They regard the late developments as nothing less than the outgrowth of irreligion and atheism, and that they forebode only evil to the country. In a review of the matter, the Rock (English) makes the following comments:

“Modern terrorism, which has made its formidable attacks to be felt in so many parts of Europe, has come unpleasantly close to ourselves. Unfortunately England does not stand alone in these murderous exploits. Russia has long endured the horrible fatalism embodied in Nihilism. France has repeatedly suffered from the intermittent outbreaks of Communism. Germany has commendably invoked stern legislation against Socialism, as the English Parliament did against the ripened Fenianism of Ireland. Austria has recently placed in a state of siege certain districts, one of which includes Vienna. Even Norway is in the throes of a society warfare, in which the main question is whether there shall be an utter abolition of religion, education, and proprietary rights.

“What is the fundamental cause of all these outbursts of social iniquity? We believe the originating principle to be a compound one, and in complete correspondence with the ‘perilous times’ in which we live, and of which the most potent element is, beyond all question, the general depravity and prevalent irreligion. Look where we will there is an upheaval of social forces intimately connected with the skeptical, the immoral, and the ignorant classes. The dangers are not confined to one order of society. The same causes which are manifestly ripening for catastrophe in the proletariat (the socialist class), are also conspicuous enough in some of the upper strata of society. Reflex action has been already, and will be even more swiftly, retributive. The new race of politicians and progressionists sneer at piety as effeminacy, and what shall we say of the rampant Sabbath-breaking, of the scornful treatment of the Bible, of holy things and persons caricatured? Of one nation of old we have sundry lurid pictures of their extensive but hollow religious professions, of their fashionable excesses, and of their gross immorality. These were the pregnant causes of the ultimate destruction of the Jewish polity. The eloquence of Isaiah’s delineations are as lamentably accurate of modern English society as ever they were of Jewish life. Atheism, like a subtle refuge, is entwining its deadly folds around its victims; and Universalism, Positivism, and other members of the poisonous family group are seducing unwary minds into a whirlpool of misery, ignorance, and crime. ‘No God’ is the social watchword across the channel; ‘No God’ is becoming popularized at home by men who stick at nothing, neither the claims of religion, social law, nor proprietary right. When these existing elements of terrorism have burst into vigor, history will repeat itself even to the dregs of retributive punishment.”

It is not necessary for Americans to journey across the Atlantic to appreciate the above statements. And while the picture thus drawn of English society is not a flattering one, yet if applied to the social condition of this country, it would not be overdrawn. The prevalence of irreligion in all grades of society is almost appalling, and yet there were never more church members than at the present time. Each succeeding year seems to outdo its predecessor in producing startling crimes. If things go on at the present rate, it cannot be long before retributive justice must overtake the world. A glance about us, and a moment’s thought, can but convince us that we have met the “perilous times” of the last days. J. O. CORLISS.

Walla Walla, W. T.