THE increase of the exercise of mob law is an evidence of the decadence, or lack, of faith in God. Men who believe in God can afford to wait. Men who do not believe in God are the ones who attempt to take justice in their own hands, and put themselves in the place of God. We know the plea that is often made over such matters. They are often palliated under the names of "justice," "Christianity," "acting for God," and kindred expressions; but nevertheless mob law is always unreasonable and unjust. Mobs are controlled by passion and sentiment, but never by law or justice. If justice be done it is incidental, not objective. Revenge is generally the object. Mob law has many times executed noted and wicked criminals; and it has many times slain the noblest of earth. It was mob law that would have stoned Caleb, Joshua, and Moses. It was mob law which stoned Stephen and Paul. It was in demand to the mob spirit that Jesus Christ was delivered to be crucified. Just law ought to be enforced in order to protect human rights, but if the wicked often go unpunished, those who have faith in the Lord may know that in his final adjustment everything will be done just right, and every man shall receive the due reward of his deeds. In times of great excitement he who has no faith in God will be carried away with the mob spirit, while he who has faith can wait. In speaking of the work of recent mobs, the St. Louis Republic truly says:—
"The disgrace of the outbreak in a measure is shared by the whole country, because it represents so complete a breakdown of civilization, but it is better that it should have happened at Urbana than in some community where past slavery would have given a color of truth to the charge that a negro can not get justice. . . . It teaches that human nature is the same all over the country, and that one community is no more secure than another from the temptation of the gust of passion aroused by brutal crimes."
The security from mob law is not in civilization, but in faith in Jesus Christ and his Word, for only so can man be saved from his evil, unregenerate nature.
"The evil can not brook delay,
The good can well afford to wait."
The increase of crime, which is often but personal revenge, and the increase of mob law, is a sure evidence of the decadence of faith, notwithstanding the claim to the title of a "Christian" nation. It also reveals that we are nearing the end of mundane rule and glory, and that soon the King will take to himself his great power, and reign.