NIHILISM

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 26, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 9

OUR readers will remember that repeated attempts have been made on the life of the Czar of Russia. It is only a few weeks since a train was blown up, on the supposition that it was the one on which he was traveling; and now the news is flashed across the telegraph wires that on the 17th a mine was exploded under the winter palace, with the intention of destroying the royal family. The explosion was under the dining-room, and they were saved by being late to dinner; but according to the official report, ten soldiers of the guard were killed and forty-five wounded. The heirlooms of the palace, the portraits, the jewels, and the imperial uniforms, were all uninjured. It is no wonder that the fear of assassination constantly haunts the Czar, as this is his fifth preservation from death.

It was thought that on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his reign, the Czar would institute measures looking to a more liberal policy; but this hope has now been dissipated. The people are clamoring for a more popular government, and had the reforms for which they ask been granted soon enough, perhaps the peace and safety of the empire would have been assured; but with so desperate a class as the Nihilists in the empire,—a class whose aim is nothing less than the total subversion of all government and the destruction of all rulers,—it may well be doubted whether a more liberal policy on the part of the government would heal the internal disturbances of Russia. The following from the Christian Weekly of Feb. 21 will be of interest at this time:—

What is Nihilism, which originated in Russia and has spread to some extent through Europe, with a few of its apostles in our country?

If we are to meet and combat this the direst of all the monstrosities of our age, it is well to know precisely what it is and what it proposes to do. And, fortunately, we have full information upon these points. The founder of the system, Michael Bakunin, and his immediate followers, have put on record their purpose and the means employed for its execution in the plainest terms and with the most brazen audacity. In one sentence, Nihilism means the overthrow and complete destruction of all existing institutions, religious, domestic, social, and civil, leaving for the next generation to build out of the ruins better ones. In their own language, the first thing to be done is to “tear out of our hearts the belief in the existence of God.” Then, secondly, we must scout the idea of right. Right is a fiction. Might is the sole basis of society. Might makes and unmakes kings and all authority, and when men fully comprehend that there is no God and no such thing as right, they will put forth their power for destruction. “Our mission,” say they, “is one of universal, relentless, and terror-striking destruction.” “The object of our organization is to concentrate all the forces of this world into an invincible and all-destroying power.”

Such is their own authoritative and open declaration of purpose. Of course, they justify assassination of all in authority, and the destruction by dagger and pistol and fire of all life and property which stands in the way of their success.

But can such revolting and demoniacal views find acceptance with any considerable number of people? Our authority for these statements, the Contemporary Review for January, 1880, affirms that in Russia Nihilism has an immense following; that it has a literature of its own which, though forbidden by law, is extensively read and believed in. Of a novel teaching these principles, entitled, “What Is to be Done?” the writer in the Contemporary affirms, “There is hardly a student of either sex at the universities and colleges who has not read and almost learned by heart this baneful piece of literature.”

The repeated attempts to assassinate the Emperor and the numerous incendiary fires, destroying millions of property, show the fearful extent of Nihilistic influence in Russia. Nor is Prussia, Italy, or France entirely free from the virus. Can it be possible that such revolting teachings shall find any disciples in our free and happy land?

The patriot and the Christian should at least know what Nihilism is, and be ready to denounce the slightest approach to its villainous tenets, wherever seen or heard.