Your ShelfYour Projects

Editorial

10%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 8, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 32.

Read the full edition

Editorial

By Editor

Distress of Nations With Perplexity

THERE have been but few if any periods of earth's history when there have not existed in some degree distressing and perplexing conditions. The Scriptures of truth indicate, however, that as we near the close of time, this distress and perplexity will become greatly intensified; men will look with grim foreboding into the future, not knowing the outcome of the situation confronting them, and with but little hope of better days. The careful student of human events and of present-day conditions must feel impressed that this time in the history of mankind has been reached. We see to-day as never before, and in an intensified degree, distress of nations with perplexity. Luke 21:25-27.
This distress and perplexity arises from two sources, external causes and internal conditions. Notwithstanding the international treaties that have been formed, the international peace congresses held, and the arbitration boards and commissions to which are referred many questions of dispute, it can not be denied that the great political international situation is an extremely critical one. As never before, the nations of men are jealously vying with one another in their effort at territorial expansion, and in their race for commercial advantage.
The leading nations of earth are no longer isolated. They exist as world powers in that their shipping traverses every sea, and their operations extend to every land. Each is fearful that its neighbor will obtain some advantage not enjoyed by it. In consequence, for the protection of its interests, each nation feels that it must maintain a large standing army, or an army reserve, and an aggressive and efficient navy. The very pursuits of peace, as they are conducted to-day, tend to political entanglements and national rivalries and jealousies. A glance at the political situation existing at the present time is sufficient to indicate the sensitive relations which now exist. The spirit of revolution in Mexico is still far from suppressed. The political upheaval has resulted in many complications, and much suffering to thousands of the inhabitants. The same spirit of uprising has been manifested in Cuba. In the Old World, crisis succeeds crisis in international affairs of the European states. Great Britain has but just emerged from a great industrial conflict, and at the present time there is but little feeling of security in the continuance of the adjustment that has been made. With the plottings of the monarchy against the new government of Portugal, its stability can hardly be regarded as assured.
There continues to be much war talk in the two countries regarding the probability of conflict between Great Britain and Germany. The same is true regarding the relations existing between Japan and the United States. Rumor will have it that Japan is seeking the acquisition of territory in the New World with sinister motives. The recent death of the Japanese emperor, with the coming to the throne of a new and comparatively young and untried ruler, injects into the political situation a new element of danger in the preservation of the world's peace balance.
In France and Spain the mutterings of discontent, which indicate the smoldering fires under the surface, are everywhere apparent. The war between Italy and Turkey still drags wearily on with but little advantage thus far to either contestant, a continual menace to the peace and safety of all Europe, as is recognized by every European court. Poor China, suffering the horrors of revolution, the tortures of famine, and the devastation of plague, is still struggling for greater civil liberty, and for a stable form of government. Thus we might continue throughout the sisterhood of nations. The political atmosphere is charged with intensity, and no statesman can determine what readjustment of present political conditions will result in the fearful clash of armies and in the terrible conflict which every one feels in his own heart is inevitable, even though by diplomatic statesmanship it may be averted for the present.
The same spirit is seen in the more domestic phases of national life. The mad rush for wealth, for political power, for social position, has engendered in every nation the same elements of discontent. Labor, instead of being the handmaid of capital, has become in many instances its sworn enemy. The secret gilds of society are doing their deadly work in undermining the social and political fabric. Burdensome taxation, the high cost of living, the corruption existing in municipal, state, and national affairs,—these and kindred ills have served to foment the spirit of unrest and dissatisfaction.
What the outcome will be no human sage or philosopher is able to predict. The Scriptures of truth, however, indicate that these conditions are signs of the times in which we are living. These conditions are recognized by many, and efforts are being made to remedy them. However futile such efforts prove, they may serve to delay for the present the inevitable outcome, and such efforts we should aid as far as consistent and possible. But above all, we should be advised by these conditions which surround us, of what is coming upon the earth. Their language has but one meaning, but one import. They betoken the ineffectiveness and the breaking up of human systems of government, the passing away of this world and all that pertains to it. They proclaim the inability of man to become his own savior, the weakness of human legislation in coping with degenerate human nature; and above all, they indicate that the long dark reign of sin is about to end, and that a better day, a day of righteousness and peace, will be ushered in.
F. M. W.