Editorial by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 14, 1892

Editorial.

By Editor

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable."—2 Tim. 3:16.

WHEN an organization connected with the cause of God gets to that place where it takes to itself all the glory for the work done through it, it is safe to say that it is time for its non-existence. It hinders God's work rather than helps it. Yet it is just there that many organizations in the religious world stand to-day.

THERE is hope in God for every heart that will turn to him in sincerity, however wretched its condition. "All the fitness he requireth is to feel our need of him," runs the song, and it is absolutely true. When the soul in its utter wretchedness casts behind its delusive hopes and earthly supports and cries out for God, God will hear. Just as long as it expects happiness and help in some other way, it has exalted something to the place of God, and God will not give his glory to another. He who turns from all to God alone will find God and find all other good things in him; "for," says the apostle to those who have faith in Christ, "all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's."

IT is safe to affirm that, considering the enlightenment of the world, there never has been a period since the deluge when all classes, with, of course, honorable exceptions, were more completely steeped in sin than at the present time. Civilization gives a gild and gloss to the sins and crimes of modern society which were unknown in primitive times, but the wickedness is none the less great. Many may flatter themselves, as they do, that they are as good as their neighbors and very much better than some who lived in the Dark Ages, and that altogether the world is growing better; but light has greatly increased, and a greater responsibility rests upon this age than any other. God, who looks at the heart, has revealed in his word that these days are the time when iniquity abounds, and the records of the present prove it. Soon will the full crop of this iniquity be reaped. The proclamation will go forth: "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great." Surely it is time that the church of Christ should sound the alarm, and say, "The day of the Lord cometh;" "it is nigh at hand."

THE records of San Francisco show that there were one hundred and sixty cases of suicide in that city during the year ending October 8, 1892. Only seventeen of these were women, showing either that women have less of the trials of life to meet, or have more fortitude in meeting them. Many are helped before they become wholly despondent, and many choose a life of shame; yet the suicide record is in favor of woman. In nine cases of the whole number, insanity is the alleged cause; twelve from "sickness;" thirty-three are from "despondency," which may mean anything; ten are said to be "intemperance," "delirium tremens," "dissipation," and opium," and we know not how many under "despondency" are brought there by drink. "Nervous trouble," remorse for murder, desertion by friend or friends, financial embarrassment, loss of funds, jealousy, family troubles, and out of employment are all found in the list, the last occurring four times. It is a fearful record for a so-called "Christian nation," these mad plunges to

"Anywhere, anywhere, Out of the world."

Faith, true faith in Christ Jesus, endures even to the end, as "seeing Him who is invisible."