Social Conditions of This Time.
In our issue of May 29 we had an article with the head that appears above. We spoke of the social conditions in the large cities of this country, and especially of the vices and crimes that are protected thru the "grafting" of the politicians. We stated that the same conditions obtained also in the cities of the Old World. An esteemed patron in Petaluma, Cal., writes us that he thinks our statement was much too broad. He thinks that the grafting evil has not taken hold of the cities of Great Britain. He says that this is quite fully an American disease. From his letter we see that we did not convey the impression that we intended. The vices of the large cities of America are present in the cities all over the world, but not always in the same form or to the same degree. But, as suggested in this letter from our patron, vice is not organized under the protection of judges and police in English cities like it is in this country. It is acknowledged by every one that the law is enforced more promptly and with a greater administration of justice in England than in almost any other part of the world. But while this is true, the vices that mark these last days are eating their way into the society of that realm, yet we may hope that the English sense of justice and of official integrity may hold out against the evil. For by so doing the tide of evil is being held in check just that much more strongly until the work that God has to do in the earth can be accomplished. Everlasting Punishment.—And these shall go into everlasting punishment. Note that it is not everlasting punishing, but everlasting punishment. It expresses a complete rather than a continued process. It is not everlasting in its endurance or in its infliction, but in its finality and completion. What is this punishment? Let other scriptures answer: "The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23. "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord." 2 Thess. 1:9. "Who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction," reads the American Standard Revision. Surely to the Bible student this ought to be final. What is this "everlasting punishment"?—It is eternal death or destruction, the choice of him who dies. From that Christ would save us. ONLY the hungry soul may feast with gladness;
The thirsty soul find living water sweet;
Only the sin-sick heart find balm for sadness,
In kneeling at the blood-bought mercy-seat.
F. E. Y.