A "FEDERATION EPOCH" AND "PERPETUAL PEACE."
By G.
PROFESSOR MYERS, the historian, in advancing the idea that perpetual peace is the destiny of our race, sets forth that it is to come through the federation of nations. He maintains that "we are inevitably passing from a nation epoch to a federal epoch." In further support of his theory, the professor says, "A United States of Europe is certain to come." As to the federation idea, the learned historian is probably correct; everything seems to point that way. But it would seem that he is mistaken both as to the cause and the result. It is not the spirit of peace that is driving the governments of earth to seek some way to evade actual war. It is their nearness to bankruptcy, the fear that the race to sustain the greatest army and navy must soon close for want of funds, that impels them to seek some kind of compromise that will stave off the inevitable crash. And, tho the confederacy scheme succeed as to formality, it will not bring permanent peace. "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them." As to the "United States of Europe" which is "certain to come," the prophecy of Revelation 17 tells us of some such consummation. These are "ten kings" which in John's day had "received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast [the restored Papacy]. These have one mind [a federation], and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." The true character of these "United States of Europe," in connection with "the beast," is shown in that they "shall make war with the Lamb;" but "the Lamb shall overcome them," and then there will be a reaction against the apostate church by whose siren teaching these things have come. The great victory of restoration to former power, with government support, will be of short duration, as expressed by the term "one hour." Then the "ten horns" shall hate the harlot that has committed fornication with them, and "shall make her desolate and naked." Chapter 18 gives more detail of the downfall of7"Babylon," because of her fornication with the kings of earth, by which means—church and state union—she "is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Immediately after this (in chapter 19), we have brought to view the coming of our Lord, and the execution of His judgment. Then will be heard the glorious cry, "Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God; for true and righteous are His judgments." It is this great consummation that will bring about universal and perpetual peace. The great federation of human governments, from which so much good is expected, can only hasten their own destruction, together with the destruction of the power that is now seeking to become the "arbiter of nations," that it may the more surely control them. Of this power, the Lord says, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." The Lord has people who are yet connected with that body, and others who are yet so far deceived as to advocate religious and political principles pertaining to that body; will they heed the warning voice, and come out? The only safe stand in these "perilous times" is on "the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."