CONDITION OF THE WORLD.
By Editor
THERE is a belief generally prevailing that the world is approaching a time of trouble, fitly represented by the words of the prophet—"such as was not since there was a nation." Dan. 12:1. The kings of the earth are in great perplexity. The words of the Saviour appear to be fast fulfilling: Luke 21:25-35. The condition of Russia is truly deplorable. Only a few years ago she was one of the very strongest powers on the earth. It was only by the combined action of the other great powers that she was prevented carrying out the largest schemes of conquest. To-day she is humbled to the dust,—not by the action of other governments, but—by the disintegrating forces within her own body; by her own people. One emperor,—and one who did much to elevate his people; who began the work of their emancipation from serfdom—has just been murdered, and his successor has imprisoned himself as the only means of escaping from the murderers. He dares not appear in the streets of his capital. About 12,000 criminals have lately been sent to Siberia, but the plague of rebellion is not stayed. From the schools it has spread abroad, until whole districts are ready to refuse allegiance to the Czar. A war among the other nations, making encroachments upon her rights, might divert the minds of the Russians and cause them to rally in defence of the government. But even this seems doubtful. The popular cry is for a Constitutional Government; but the Nihilists, who hold the officers of the empire in terror, are fighting against all forms of government. Anarchy, entire lawlessness, is their aim. Religion, law, and personal rights, are all detested by them. They have chosen the means best suited to such base designs,—assassination. Innocence is not regarded by them, and virtue is not respected. Evil is their good. With such feelings and sentiments fast spreading among the people, who can predict the future of Russia? Who does not tremble for her fate? At the time of the late war between Prussia and France, the former proved her strength to be not a whit less than that of any of the first powers of earth. The intelligence and training of her soldiery gave her victory on every battle-field. The war ended gloriously for her. Valuable territory was acquired, and her enemy, the Emperor of France, was a prisoner. Seemingly she could ask for no more. But in the very day of her glory, in the midst of her victories, her sun passed its meridian and began to decline. They who observed closely could not fail to perceive that the feelings of triumph were not heartily shared by the soldiers themselves. They manifested their repugnance to war even while their enemy was being humbled at their feet. The like, perhaps, was never seen before. It was generally supposed that the French Emperor hastened on the war as a means of stilling the murmurs of discontent among his people. Among them a slight victory created unbounded enthusiasm. But it was not so with the Germans. Proverbial for their devotion to their fatherland, they seemed suddenly to lose their pride in her elevation, and plainly manifested their desire for peace and home. When the war closed there immediately commenced such an211emigration as had never been witnessed. And it progresses and increases. Villages are almost entirely deserted. Multiplied means of transportation are taxed to their utmost to carry away the people, and still they cannot leave as fast as they wish. And this is not all. The communistic or rebellious sentiment is fast growing with those who remain. Opposition to religion and to all authority manifests itself in every class, from the peasant to the legislator. Should a war break out at this time between Prussia and any strong power, we should not be surprised to see her humbled as completely as France was humbled before her. England has her own perplexities to meet. Her national pride, or the influence of her landed aristocracy, or both combined, will not suffer her to take steps which might save her from great disasters which are impending. Her statesmen are strongly at variance. Perhaps not more so than at many other times; but the present is a time of no ordinary trial for her. Ireland can only be subdued or held in check by a strong force. The Irish, as well as the Russians, are resorting to assassination to accomplish their purpose to destroy the present landlord system, and to hold the officers of the law in terror. The late wars in Afghanistan and Africa have failed to add to either the strength or glory of England. The majority of her people are evidently dissatisfied with them both. As the Germans, they fail in enthusiasm over their wars, especially when the objects and the means are so questionable as they were in those we mention. What need we say of Turkey and Greece? Peace—short-lived peace—is purchased by deception and falsehood. But the mutterings of dissatisfaction are like the rumblings of thunder before the approaching storm. It is not by any vitality of health that Turkey still survives. Disease is festering in every fibre of her system. She lives by the sufferance of those nations who are waiting anxiously to prey upon her carcass. All would willingly see her fall were it not that they all dread the strife which must follow. For this they are making the greatest possible preparation. To all appearance our own beloved country is free from these elements of strife which would tend to an overthrow. But we fear that appearances are deceptive. We have had the evidence, in 1876, that that which was designed to be a peaceable change of the administration, may become the means of strife and disunion. The same dangers exist, and the same feelings of opposition, of discord, are ready even now to fan the smoldering fires into a flame. Beside this, we are harboring many enemies of free schools, free government, and freedom in religion, who would gladly see the work of destruction of our free institutions, and cheerfully assist in that work. We are not playing the role of alarmists. Do we not speak the truth? Who can deny it? It is folly to cry "Peace and safety," when destruction is impending. 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-5. Better to be warned and prepare, than to have these things come upon us unawares.