"The Menace of the Feeble-Minded"
By Editor
UNDER the caption of "The Menace of the Feeble-Minded," the Journal of the American Medical Association, in its issue for March, says: "The economic and social problems connected with the feeble-minded are of far greater importance than the average 'man on the street' realizes. Whatever the cause, the fact is that this class is increasing enormously in all civilized countries." The Journal then calls attention to the report of the committee of visitors of the State Charities of New York, according to which there are at present in that state 32,000 feeble-minded persons. Part of these are cared for in state institutions, many of them are privately cared for, while still others are without any particular care. Upon this subject the Royal Commission of England reports that in that country the feeble-minded are increasing at twice the rate of the general population. And Amos W. Butler, of Indiana, makes statements to the effect that feeble-mindedness produces more pauperism, degeneracy, and crime than any other force, and that its cost is beyond comprehension. The stubborn, indisputable facts are all in harmony with the Bible story, notwithstanding evolutionary theories, as well as the theories of those who claim that the world is growing better and better all the time, to the contrary. This old world is on the verge of a moral breakdown, and this increasing feeble-mindedness is largely the result of the immorality that has permitted the liquor traffic to spread its evils all over the world. We can do much, by reform agitation, to stem this tide that is going downward, and thereby make a way of escape for as many individuals as may desire to avail themselves of the opportunities afforded by the great power of the gospel. But there is nothing that will end this degeneracy until the Lord Jesus Christ comes in person to destroy everything that is evil. But we should never lose sight of the fact that the same scriptures which have foretold the moral breakdown of the world as a great whole, have also spoken of the heroic and faithful work of the great army who would valiantly combat these evil conditions. At the present time these strong men and women who, to use the graphic language of Ezekiel, sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in the land, are scattered among the great variety of church organizations and other bodies that are aiming to stand for the moral uplift of the world and the propagation of the gospel. These reformers will come closer and closer together until they are finally united in the powerful host that will do valiant service for Christ. This union of heroic and faithful service will be the opposite of the federation that will seek to cohere without having in their hearts the true sentiments of indissoluble union that bind together the real followers of the perfect Saviour. It is both inspiring and sublime to think of standing with the body of men and women that will follow the true Christ of the living God in the conflicts upon which this world has entered, and which will so soon end in the triumphs of the coming of Jesus in person.