SOCIETY is divided into warring factions. There can be no question about this, for it is a statement of fact that any one and every one knows. And it takes but a very little provocation to plunge these factions into a pitched battle.
On September 2, in Louisville, Ky., a woman refused to ride on a car that was operated by non-union men, and called for the people standing by to “pull the scabs off the cars.” A riot was started that resulted in the injury of a number of people, and only for the firm hand of the police that promptly arrived, a much greater disaster, without doubt, would have followed.
In San Francisco on the same day there was a much bigger clash, and a number of persons were killed, and a much larger number were injured. Brickbats and clubs were used vigorously and with a telling effect by the mob, and revolvers were brought into play and several were shot. A man who in ordinary times and conditions had the reputation of being industrious and peaceable, imbibed quite freely of strong drink on that day, became involved in a quarrel with a policeman in the after part of the night that followed, watched his chance, and shot him dead. On the same date, fierce rioting was reported in Antwerp, and lesser disputes and difficulties were had in numerous places.
These things are not mentioned in the hope of doing anything in particular to lessen this growing menace to the peace and quiet of society. But we know that many persons are disturbed and distressed over it, not knowing what it means. And we know from the sure word of God that these are some of the things that fulfil His divine predictions. He has told us that the same violence and crimes would mark this last generation that marked the generation of men that lived in Noah’s time. And, seeing these things, we desire to have you know what they mean, and, instead of being distressed with the outlook before the world, we want you to know that these are merely among the tokens that foretell the immediate return of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we are wholly of this world, and looking only to this world for our joys and hopes, then indeed the outlook is a very gloomy one. But to him who is looking for the return of the Master, not only the earth, but the very skies overhead, are bursting with evidence of the glorious dawn. And that glad day so soon to be realized will bring the end of all this distress, and usher us into the joys of eternity.
We should be learning how to look beyond the dark scenes of this time into the indescribable joys of the eternal morning that is dawning even now.
China and Japan Quarreling.—It has been thought for some time that a courtship that was mutual in its ardors was going on between China and Japan. But it is now reported that there is likely to be a serious clash between Chinese and Japanese troops in Kwangto, or Middle Island, where in the name of the Korean Government the Japanese have assumed control. The territory in dispute is a rich region on the Yalu River, having a population of about 600,000 Koreans and 400,000 Chinese, and has been a subject of much contention between China and Korea. Since the Japanese have assumed control of Korea the Chinese have despatched some of their soldiers to the Middle Island, and it will be a miracle if a battle is averted. Japan is not only surprised but indignant over this sudden change in the attitude of China, and she is considering the advisability of sending one of her foremost diplomats to Pekin to seek to arrange a settlement. In the same despatch it is also stated that Japan has raised her flag over an uninhabited island near the Philippines. She claims that she has violated no understanding with the United States, since the island is north of the twentieth parallel. The final disposition of the question will depend on whether or not it is found that the island can be made valuable as a naval base. Those who have been studying the prophecies know that there is to be a great awakening of the heathen nations in the last days. We simply call your attention from time to time to the events that are constantly occurring to show that the great heathen nations are suddenly coming to the fore as military and aggressive powers. They will all be reached and mightily stirred by the military fever in these last days.
Reports coming from Samoa tell of severe earthquake shocks that were felt there on July 31. The volcanoes in Savaii are still in active eruption, and about June 15 a submarine volcano broke out some twenty-five miles to the southwest of Nukualofa in Tongataba. Lately they have had the coldest weather there that has been known for years. Our missionary in those islands, Brother J. E. Fulton, has sent us a description of a view that he had of the volcano on Savaii which we will publish soon. It is interesting to note how frequent and widespread these upheavals in nature are becoming. This is just what we have been telling for more than a quarter of a century that the prophecies called for in this generation. We see them coming, and we know what they mean, and know also that they will become more and more frequent and disastrous till the end of time. These disasters, however, need not disturb or worry any one, for the Lord has provided a perfect and secure shelter for all who will accept it.
By some means unaccountable to us we were made to say last week on page 16 that “the mayor of the city [San Francisco] is convicted and sent to the penitentiary, and is now lying in jail awaiting a decision in regard to a new trial in the higher court.” What we supposed we had said was that “the mayor of the city is convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary,” etc. One statement gives the facts, and the other does not give much of anything.
The recent floods in Japan have resulted in great loss of life as well as of property. Reports say that the number killed, injured, and missing has reached 588, while some five thousand buildings have been destroyed or greatly wrecked, and 976 bridges were swept away. But, regardless of the great floods, it is estimated that the crops will be slightly above the average.
What Is the Church of God?
WHAT Is the Church of God, will be the theme of the SIGNS next week. Abdiel, one of our oldest and ablest writers, will have an article direct on the subject, “What the Church Is.” This will be followed by articles from other able writers on “The Church, False and True Since Christ;” “The Test of the Church;” “Multitudes in the Valley of Decision.”
The Bible teaching on the true church of God is a theme on which every Christian should be grounded and established. One of the strongest points of apostasy is to try to show the true church from grounds and arguments that are absolutely incomplete and unscriptural. We should know for ourselves what God says upon the subject, and then we can be secure in the right.
Railroad Wrecks.—On September 2, six persons were killed in a railroad accident near Hinton, W. Va., and a number of others were injured. On September 3, six more were killed, and more than a score were injured, in a wreck near Caledon, Ontario. Ten or twelve years ago, a writer who has made a close study of the conditions of this time made the statement that we were coming into a period in which it would be very dangerous to travel. There is such a mad rushing hither and thither among the people of this day, and then the habits of drinking and kindred evils have taken such a hold on men, that there is not the carefulness and consideration for human life that there should be. The rushing crowd may pause for just a moment to gaze in curiosity at a stricken victim, and then it rushes on with but little thought of the life that has come to an untimely end.
