p. 329 | The Increase of Crime by W. N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 29, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 21.

The Increase of Crime.

By W. N. Glenn

NOTWITHSTANDING the daily testimony of the newspapers, there are many religious teachers who claim that the world is growing better, and that the millennium of peace through human effort is fast approaching. Any one forty years old can remember when a murder anywhere in the United States caused a ripple of astonishment all over the country. But at the present time not a day passes without more or less murderous work; indeed it has become so common as to attract only passing notice, as the ordinary news of the day. And the murders form but a small portion of the crime committed in the land. But general assertions like this are not usually convincing to those who do not themselves draw comparison with former days, or who are interested in making an opposite showing. Hence, a few figures may be interesting, if not otherwise effective, in considering the situation.

In 1850, the State of New York had a native-born population of 2,436,771. Her native-born criminals then numbered 649, or one to every 3,754 native inhabitants. With all the efforts of that great State, in the way of educational and religious enterprise, during the succeeding thirty years, we find in 1880 the following result: There was a native-born population of 3,807,317; native criminals, 5,177, or one to every 741 inhabitants—a proportionate increase of criminals of over 500 per cent. in thirty years. Verily, it will require an act of Congress, or some other short cut, to make a Christian nation of the United States if this rate of retrogression is kept up.

But what is the cause of this wonderful increase of crime? While some would fain close their eyes to the facts, and endeavor to offset the appalling result of the calculation by counter-tables of denominational gains, etc., there are others who seem to realize the situation and attempt to give the reasons for it. One journal claims that the public school system is wholly responsible for the decline in morals; but, unfortunately for the position, it also shows that in one year, while the number of school children in New York increased 21,000, the actual attendance decreased over 10,000. This, with the writer's undoubted showing that there has been criminal waste of public school funds, would tend to prove that demoralization in the schools was an effect of the general decline in morals, rather than that the schools were a cause of the decline.

It might as well be claimed that the increase of crime was due to the increase in the denominational religions of New York, and compare the proportions of membership and money expended to the growing ratio of criminals. On such a theory, the Catholic Church would come in for the heaviest share of responsibility, for she has grown more in wealth and influence in that State than any other denomination; and from the official figures submitted by the writer above referred to, it appears that the increase in the ratio of criminals is far greater than in any other State cited.

While we admit that the public schools, the churches, the courts, the legislatures, and about every element in our political and social system, are being sadly degraded in the general decline, we must also admit that these results are but the effect of a cause farther back; and are but steps toward a culmination in more dire results. Inspiration has foretold the condition of things which we see to-day; therefore Inspiration must give us the key to the cause.

It is a fact that, ever since the creation of the world, whenever the Lord would do a special work for his people, Satan has strenuously opposed it. Necromancy and infidelity have ever been his weapons. These implements of Satanic warfare were specially brought to bear when the Lord, by the hand of Moses, would deliver Israel from Egypt. Again, when the great Deliverer himself came, the whole Satanic host were in arms to defeat his beneficent design. The Egyptian nation was never so demoralized as when the messenger of God came to rescue his people. The Jewish people were never so blasphemous, reckless, and cruel as when the Lord himself appeared amongst them on a mission of mercy. Demons possessed the people on every hand.

So with reference to his second advent, to finally redeem his saints, the Saviour has told us "there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24: 24. And Paul forewarns us, 2 Thess. 2, of the "working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders;" also, that because the people will not receive the love of the truth, "God shall send them strong delusion," &c. He also tells us, 2 Tim. 4, that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."

We learn from these and other scriptures that Satan will work mightily in the last days, when God has a special work to perform. During the thirty years covered by the statistical figures above alluded to, the proclamation of the Lord's coming, together with the warning to prepare for the Judgment, has been sounding; hence, during that time, Satan has been unusually active, which accounts for the moral decline throughout the country. It is not alone in New York that crime has increased, but from ocean to ocean. During those thirty years, modern necromancy (Spiritualism) has risen and developed beyond any precedent; and infidelity has taken rapid strides. They have besieged the churches, and well-nigh captured the schools; while intemperance and corruption hold sway in the halls of legislation. "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are servants of corruption;" and "when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh." 2 Pet. 2: 19, 18.

Yes, Inspiration has foretold the situation, and the cause. Nor is the remedy in the power of puny man, or his puny Government. The only safety against the "perilous times" (2 Tim. 3) of the "last days" is in obedience to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Such as take refuge here are the only ones that escape the "last plagues." Rev. 14. Such have this promise of the Spirit: "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked." Ps. 91: 5-8.