p. 240 | Violence Threatened

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 21, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 15.

Violence Threatened

In a recent interview with a New York World reporter, Emma Goldman says: "Necessity knows no law. Hungry people must demand food; and if it is not given them, they must take it by force. We are now planning a series of demonstrations which will make the people of New York realize the seriousness of the unemployment problem. Hundreds of people are starving and without shelter, both of which they should demand from society as their right. I don't care what methods they use to get them. Force and even bloodshed may follow. But something must be done to provide them with the necessities of life."

The number of people who will applaud sentiment of this kind is growing stronger and stronger every day. The very fact that the United States government was driven to the necessity of appointing an industrial commission to inquire into the causes of the discontented throughout the country shows that there is really trouble and that the people have grievances.

We do not settle these matters by charging the authors of such statements with anarchy and things of that sort. These conditions are here. These utterances are being made and the situation is becoming more and more acute and desperate every day that we live. What will be the end of all of this turmoil and strife?

There are the schools of "economics," each with its theory. There are various government leaders who are struggling to solve the problems. There are numerous kinds of labor and other organizations everywhere, each of which is sure that it has some panacea or specific that will cure the trouble if their plan may only be followed out. But while all these are earnestly, and, without doubt, honestly urging their reforms and plans, the conditions continue to grow worse and worse.

The Bible is the one book in the world that has a message that truly solves the problem. This book says in the clearest language: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Tim. 3: 1-5.

There are many other passages which show that the last days of the earth's history are to be marked by extreme perils and lawlessness and vice, and that the world will finally be plunged into such scenes of confusion and disorder that the only power that can arrest its course is the coming of the infinite Christ in the clouds of heaven. His coming is abundantly promised in the sacred book, and everything foretells that the great day is very near.