NOT ENCOURAGING by C. P. B.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 24, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 24.

NOT ENCOURAGING.

By C. P. B.

IN an address delivered at the fifty-sixth anniversary of the Sunday-school Union at Albany, May 18, 1889, Rev. M. D. Hillis, of Peoria, Ill., stated some facts in regard to the condition of the small towns and rural districts in the West, which are worthy of serious consideration. He said:—

"Another alarming fact has been and is developing. I refer to the depopulation of our smaller towns of their American and Christian elements. In the State of Illinois a leading denomination reports ten churches pastorless. The compiler of this report says that ten years ago many of these churches supported a pastor and were in good condition, but the city has drained the country town of its best blood and its Christian leaders. While the State of Illinois has increased in population, the population of the country districts and of the smaller villages is actually less than it was in 1880. I recently spent a few days in a town of 2,000 inhabitants in central Illinois, which ten years ago supported five evangelical churches, three of which are to-day closed. There are whole sections where we once had strong churches which have been entirely taken up by foreigners. The Christian work which was done twenty years ago must now be done over again, otherwise these communities will be given over to godlessness and Romanism!"

This is certainly not very encouraging from the standpoint of those who expect to see the world converted. To think that in old communities where churches and Sunday-schools have once been planted, the work has to be done over again after only twenty years, certainly does not indicate that the world is to be converted as rapidly as many are wont to believe. This does not prove, however, that Christianity is lacking in power,

but it should call attention to the fact that the Bible gives no warrant for the popular belief that there will ever be a time when all will become Christians. On the contrary, we are assured by Inspiration that in the last days "perilous times shall come," and that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." The purpose of the gospel is not to save all, or to convert the world, but to gather out of all nations a people that will serve God.

C. P. B.