p. 16 | The One Sure Refuge

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 10, 1900

The One Sure Refuge

These be times that try men's souls. Nothing in the world seems certain. Men arise with uncertainty in the morning, knowing not what news will be brought. They retire at night knowing not what changes may occur before another dawn. Just now the critical finances of the world are kept comparatively steady because a few wealthy men do not just now wish a panic. Yet the fluctuations in Wall Street, New York, have in the last few weeks wrecked heavy fortunes. In a few hours one man—Keene—in stock gambling won $5,000,000. Others together lost what was won. One day's strife in South Africa may precipitate a financial panic more terrible in its consequences than the war. In popular religious circles faith, implicit faith in the Word of God, is below par. Popular ministers now give utterance to sentiments showing unbelief in the

Bible which years ago would have shocked their churches, and left them without a pastorate. Now open utterances of unbelief concerning portions of the Bible, by ministers in orthodox churches, excite little or no comment. Occult and abstruse and senseless isms, like the frogs of Egypt, are overspreading the land. "Christian Science," "Theosophy," "Spiritism" are honey-combing churches. Mighty trusts whose promoters' ambitions include the world, are making existence more expensive, and arousing the hatred of the proletariat. There is but one sure refuge, Jesus Christ; but one sure guide, God's Word. Man may reject the one or discount the other; yet the Word and its Author stand forever. And so will all those who trust in Him.